After EU, US Bans PIA Flight Operations

The United States Department of Transportation (DoT) has revoked the special permission granted to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate direct flights to the US amid COVID-19 pandemic.

The authority has reasoned ‘serious safety concerns’ behind the decision as the fallout from the Aviation Minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, regarding the pilots’ dubious licenses, continue.

The ban has come days after the European Union and the United Kingdom revoked PIA’s flight permit.


ALSO READ

Indonesia’s Lion Air to Start Flights in Pakistan Soon


The airline was notified of the decision via an email, confirmed PIA’s spokesperson, Abdullah Hafeez Khan.

The authorization was revoked due to recent events identified by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority that are of serious concern to aviation safety, specifically matters pertaining to the proper certification of certain Pakistani pilots.

Direct Flights to the USA

In April, the US transport authority had granted PIA permission to operate 12 direct flights to the US to repatriate stranded people. Until now, the national flag carrier had operated six flights to different US cities. It was for the first time that PIA operated direct flights to the US, which was being seen as a landmark in the national airline’s history.


ALSO READ

Airblue Announces Lower Ticket Prices For Local Flights


Spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez declared it a setback for PIA.

However we are keeping very close coordination with US Department of Transportation and we sincerely hope that with the reformative process already underway, they will review their decision to revoke the permissions.

Following the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority’s flight suspension, several countries, including Malaysia, have barred Pakistani pilots from flying planes until the authentication of their licenses from the Pakistani authorities.


  • I congratulate Imran Khan and Sarwar Khan for unearthing this mega scandal of the corruption of PMLN and PPP and saving the lifes of thousands of people. We are now in cleansing phase and once it is done then PIA will be considered the best airlines in the world. Also I want to add that In America and Europe thousands of Pakistani Doctors from PPP/PMLN era are working with fake degrees. Now it is the job of Health minister to unearth the mega-scandal of Fake Doctors degree next. Aviation mafia is gone. Next is medical mafia.

  • Aviation of Pakistan is now in the cleansing phase. Next is the Fake Doctors Degree and fake Engineers scandal from Pakistan. 30-40% Engineers and doctors that are working abroad have fake degrees. Health minister and HEC must unearth these fake degree scandals next. Once the world will dismiss these fake degree holders from Pakistan then they will see the real Engineers/Doctors and Pilots from our country.

    • I totally agree. The mafias of Doctors and Engineers are next after pilots with fake degree removal.

      #BanPakistanidoctorswithFakeDegress
      #BanPakistaniEngineerswithFakeDegree


  • Get Alerts

    Follow ProPakistani to get latest news and updates.


    ProPakistani Community

    Join the groups below to get latest news and updates.



    >